The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-09-14
GAZE OF DlSH.CLOTHS.
A Subject That Can Not Be Too Carefully
Considered by Housewives.

considerations, for upon the cleanli-
ness of these depend in great meas
IRE the health and comfort of the FAM
lily. The Importance of this subject
can not be too carefully considered.
There is one article used in all houses
that can not be looked after too close
". Many neat housewives, who pride
themselves upon the cleanliness OF
their houses, pay little attention to the
clre of the dish and sink cloths. These
women are always particular in regard
TO their dish towels. washing them
every day after wiping the dishes,
which is an unnecessary piece OF work,
for if the dishes are washed clean,
the towels are usually only
damp, and need only be hung out in
the air to dry, and will be as sweet and
clean as if they were washed. besides
lasting much longer. They seldom
take much pains with the dish and
sink cloths. TO be sure. they are usu-
| ally washed clean after each meal, but
they are not often hung out in the air;
they arc too frequently hung near or
under the sink to dry. These women
would not think of leaving towels or
any other articles but these all punched
up on nail to dry, for their common
sense would teach them that the az
ticles would be ruined by this kind Of
treatment; yet they never think
enough about the dish and sink cloths
to care whether they are ruined ornot.
The very things that of all the house
keeping articles should be sweet and
clean are too often left to take care of
themselves.
In an article published in a contenl-
porary on the uses of discarded white
flannel underwear in the household,
the writer suggests, among other
things, that the housewife cut the flan-
nels in small squares, hem and use for
dish-cloths. Now. old flannel under
wear is an excellent thing in the house,
and the uses to which it can be put
renders it something to be desired by
all housewives. For clearing-cloths.
sink-cloths and many other kinds Of
cloths there is nothing will take its
place, but as dish-cloths it is failure.
l give the palm to oil flannels for all
but dish-cloths, but will draw tho
line at dish-cloths. just think of it!
| Old flannel underwear for dish-cloths!
Deliver me from the housekeeper who
uses it, for she is usually one of the
kind that believes any thing is good
good enough for q dish-cloth.
Any thing is not good enough for q
dish-cloth. Few things that have been
used for any thing outside of dishes
should be made into this article. An
old table-cloth cut into squares and
hcmmed, or an old napkin that has
outlived its use at table service, make
nice, soft cloths for washing the glass
ware and the finer dishes, but for
evecy day use, for all kinds of ware,
there is nothing like square of nice,
fine crash. 1t will outlast any number
of old table-cloths and napkins, and if
properly cared for is the incest aud
cleanest kind of u cloth. All women
know that if good crash is washed
properly that the olderit gets the whit
er it grows, and if not properly
washed, the older it is the darker it
is sure to be. There is no kind of
goods will show the effects of washing
so clearly as a good quality of crash.
Cloths washed out hurriedly, or simply
wrung out of the water and hung to
dry or nail beside or under the sink,
no matter what their quality, will
very soon be unfit for. use. The COM
mon expression, Gas black as a dish
cloth, must certainly apply to cloths
of this kind. There is no necessity
for the dish-cloth being black any
more than the towels. Have two
| squares of soft crash, one for each
week. Use one for one week, rinsing
it out after each meal, hanging il in
the air to dry, and when washday
comes let it 60 into the family wash
and use the other for the next week,
treating it the same as the first. This
may seem to be great deal of care to
give to dish-cloth, but sho who
practices it will not soon give itup.
Old crush or old flannel make good
sink cloths, and should be treated the
| same as dish-cloths. with the exception
of the family washing, which would
hardly be worth while giving them, us
they should be changed quite frequent
ly,.and the rinsing and airing is all
they need while they las. Above all
things don't keep them about the sink
while damp, for, according to the
statement of noted physician, damp,
ill-kept dish and sink cloths are as
much to be feared rs forerunners of
diphtheria, typhoid fever, etc, as is
the common cause usually assigned
imperfect drainage. Boston Budget.
| Getting to Rights,